It does. That comment is utter rubbish from Mr Key. A number of immediate emissions reductions solutions are available, such as manure management and controlled use of nitrogen fertilisers, they just cost a little - but dairy and livestock farmers would rather that the rest of us pay for their emissions than clean up their act. Some are responsible and are doing something about it, but most have no compulsion, moral or financial, to do so. A number of long term technologies are in development, but here again dairy and livestock farmers would rather that the rest of us fund that research.

Of course, another clear response to a price signal is to diversify or shift production into less emitting forms of agriculture, but this again is too much work for the industry.

Nope.

They’ll get agriculture out the equation. Nobody else was stupid enough to include it.

>>communicating badly and then acting smug when you’re not understood is not cleverness…

Speak for yourself, George…..

>>I think we’re going to see high tariffs from the EU on our agricultural exports

Protectionism and trade barriers from Europe? Wow, that is something new!

Sarcasm ends….

Anyway, it’s becoming pretty clear that the current Government is failing one of it’s first tests - the comments by Simon Upton (of all people) make it clear that National/ACT’s position on climate change is pretty much giving up on the issue, when it is clear that sustained and real engagement is necessary.

If we continue down this path, I think we’re going to see high tariffs from the EU on our agricultural exports, and/or the “clean green” charade exposed. Much of my family is in agriculture, and this is going to hurt them. Their businesses are making efforts to reduce their emissions and depend on NZ’s reputation, and they’re going to be screwed over, by a bunch of reactionary dairy farmers and their friends (personal friends in many cases) in National and ACT.

I thought you might have noticed….

“Prime Minister John Key says representatives at the Poznan meeting are arguing very strongly that New Zealand has a different position to other countries, in that many of New Zealand’s emissions come from agriculture. He says it has to be recognised that New Zealand does not have technological solutions to the problem and to cut production could have unintended consequences.”

This National win came just in the nick of time…..

I’ve never met ANY scientist who doubted it in my 8 years at JPL. I could count the legitimate arguers on the fingers of one hand. Most of the rest is well known and appropriately valued blog blather.

I know how the SCIENCE is done Owen and it is not done by people with any agenda except the desire to get at the truth.

respectfully
BJ